Hi and thanks for having me here today!
I'm just back from a reader convention in beautiful Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As always, I'm completely exhausted - too much fun will do that to you - but energized as well. There's nothing quite like spending time with Readers to remind me that this writing gig isn't just about me, and I always come home wanting to work so that I can have another book to share.
When I first started writing, the idea of a Reader was really something I only understood in the abstract. I mean, I knew (or at least I hoped) that people would read my books, and I wanted to write books that readers would enjoy. But "Readers" were almost mythical beings; we talked about them, hoped to please them, but actually seeing them? Talking to them? It wasn't something I could wrap my head around and really, truly, believe in.
Which is why I love reader events. It turns out that Readers are real! They come in all kinds of varieties from all walks of life, and they love books as much as I do. It's so much fun to meet people who can dissect the nuances of the Alpha Male, appreciate the beauty of the grovel, and sigh over the perfect kiss. With readers, I can make a comparison to Jamie Fraser or Ash and it's not only understood, but also met with same melt of the heart.
And readers are so much fun! Away from the pressures of day-to-day life and surrounded by others who "get" them, anything goes! (I felt like quite the party pooper sometimes with my "it's really late. I have to go to bed" whine.) I'm telling you, the energy was just terrific, and I laughed so much my cheeks hurt.
(There's only one damper on events like this: so many people introduce themselves and say "I'm not a writer. I'm just a reader." Just a reader? Ack! I hate that phrase. Readers make this possible. Without Readers, writers are people in their pajamas talking to themselves. Readers make the voices in my head a viable career instead of a reason to be institutionalized. Please promise me you'll never call yourself "just a reader." You're a Reader with a capital R and should be respected as such.)
So I'm home now and nowhere near caught up on my sleep, but I'm completely psyched to write something new and fun for all the Readers out there. It's a little like pressure, but in the best possible sense of it. I'm feeling creative, but the creativity is coming from a different source - it's a side effect of all that terrific energy that the Readers fed me over the weekend.
So I'm off to start something new. Something I hope the Readers will enjoy. And I'm already looking forward to the next time I get to hang out with more awesome Readers. (But I may have to take a quick nap first!)
In the meantime, I do have a book out this month: Redemption of a Hollywood Starlet, the last book in my Marshall brothers trilogy. (And I have a huge crush on Finn...)
Here's the blurb:
The Marshalls...
A rich, powerful family that mixes business, politics... and pleasure.
If the US had a royal family - this would be it!
The tabloids just couldn't get enough of A-List couple hotshot producer Finn Marshall and Hollywood wild-child Caitlyn Reese. Then Caitlyn fled the glaring lights of Tinseltown, leaving an indelible mark on the Walk of Fame - and an empty seat on the back of his motorbike.
Now Cait is back! She's still got the X-factor, and Finn is struggling to banish his X-rated thoughts! Because one thing is for sure...he isn't just interested in a quick Hollywood retake...To interest him, it'll have to be a full-budget epic remake...
This is the third Marshall book. The other two are The Privileged and the Damned and The Power and the Glory.
Please come visit my website at www.BooksByKimberly.com or find me on Facebook or Twitter (@BooksByKimberly)
A reader event is an ego trip for readers. We are greeted by enthusiastic authors who will TALK to us - really.
ReplyDeleteThe authors make us feel like the special people we think they are.
I am a "Reader" and look forward to my next Reader Event.
Even as a writer, there is a great deal of joy in attending a reader event, whether its an intimate booksigning or RWA Nationals 100+author event. As writers, we were (and are) first readers, and I've had many a fan-girl moment over meeting authors whose work I love. Then there is standing in line, talking to the readers around me - like you said, they simply "get it". There's acceptance in talking to readers who love the same genre, characters, and storyline, knowing our family at home would have glazed eyes in about 2 seconds. :)
ReplyDeleteIts an experience not to be missed!
Must go check out Finn!!!! A Hollywood hottie with a motorcycle? I think I'm in love already!
I think it's funny that Readers find it funny that writers are excited to talk to them. Of course, I love to talk in general, so having people to talk to is awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd like-minded folks who get it are the bomb!
I can't think of anything I love more than opening my email and seeing a mssage from someone who liked my book... To that end, I've actually started emailing authors I love to — because it suddenly occurred to me I'd never done that!! Great post Kim, and can't wait to read the last Marshalls book, I adored the other too, but always had a sneaking suspicion bad boy Finn was definitely going to me my style!
ReplyDeletePlease ignore all the typos in my last message... It's late here and we're watching Spain vs Portugal with the gorgeous Ronaldo, it's a bit distracting.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous blog post. I've only recently gone from Reader to author, so I still kinda idolize you ladies (perhaps I always will) and Kimberly, I think your post does a great job of reminding us that when it comes down to it, we all just love books!
ReplyDeleteMm. Ronaldo... :-) You don't hear nearly enough about him in the US...